Filter change reminder!

Real quick – have you been changing your filters? By now, your furnace has probably been running for about three months (although with this weather, who knows!). Remember – for maximum efficiency, you should change your filters every one to three months. If you haven’t changed yours yet and you’re starting to notice an uptick in your heating bills, your filters are probably clogged up. Swap them out for new ones or clean them off for another month of energy efficient heating!

How to Change Your Furnace Filters

While the exact steps for changing your furnace filters are slightly different for different furnace models, the basics are the same. Before you start, turn off the furnace power at the main circuit breaker.

If you have an Upflow furnace (where air moves upward), the filter is usually located in the blower compartment adjacent to the cold air return. To remove it, you’ll have to remove the top door and then the bottom door. After you’ve replaced the filter, make sure you reinstall the bottom door so it covers the furnace frame and engages the safety switch. Without this, the furnace will not run!

If you have a Downflow furnace (where air moves downward), the filter should be located in the upper blower compartment. Some furnaces will have a V-shaped filter system; the system will take two filters. Make sure when you re-install the top door that it goes over the furnace frame so it engages the safety switch. If it doesn’t, the furnace will not run.

If you have a horizontal furnace, it probably comes with a slide-in filter rack – this makes replacing your filter easy!

If you’ve been keeping up with your filter replacement but you’re still having problems with your furnace, don’t stress – call James A. Wheat & Sons for MD furnace repair today!

We had a new natural gas water heater replaced today by John and Damon of Wheat & Sons. This was not an easy job, as it was on the 3rd floor of our DC townhouse. Having tired of dealing with some marginal contractors for other home repairs, I decided to spend a few extra dollars for the horsepower of a responsible organization with bench strength. That paid off. Because of some glitches in the replacement, these two installers spent most...

We had a new natural gas water heater replaced today by John and Damon of Wheat & Sons. This was not an easy job, as it was on the 3rd floor of our DC townhouse. Having tired of dealing with...

- Customer | Washington, DC

Our technician, Tom, was outstanding. He was thorough, thoughtful, explained the work to be done, the cost, options, and seemed to take the minimum amount of time to complete the work. The technician’s helper, who came along with Tom, was also a great asset. It was a wonderful experience for us. But, it always is when we call James A. Wheat & Sons. Thank you for providing us with such good service.

Our technician, Tom, was outstanding. He was thorough, thoughtful, explained the work to be done, the cost, options, and seemed to take the minimum amount of time to complete the work. The technician’s helper, who came along with Tom, was...

- James G. Rea | Rockville, MD

Technician was prompt, polite, and obviously new his business. He thoroughly checked our fireplace insert, and made acheck for CO in the room. His work reassured us that the insert and its inlet-outlet system had not suffered earthquake damage. That's just what we needed to know.

Technician was prompt, polite, and obviously new his business. He thoroughly checked our fireplace insert, and made acheck for CO in the room. His work reassured us that the insert and its inlet-outlet system had not suffered earthquake damage. That's...

- Terri J. | Gaithersburg, MD

I have been impressed with your company and its people from the day your sales person walked in here, through all service personel, and now. By the way, this is a fantastic system. Our energy costs are much lower then before, the airflow is practically unnoticeable, the air temp inside is even, the humidity contstant, and we have had no failures since installation.

I have been impressed with your company and its people from the day your sales person walked in here, through all service personel, and now. By the way, this is a fantastic system. Our energy costs are much lower then...